November r, i88g.l THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
307 
been selling to an enormous extent for forward 
delivery ; but when these deliveries became due, 
by offering a small quantity on the spot at a low 
rate, they have been able to buy back their own 
contracts at a considerable reduction on the price 
at which they sold. This, he adds, has been going 
on for a considerable time, until now they have 
brought quinine to its present absurdly low quota- 
tion. With regard to the present stock of cinchona 
in London, on May 31st there were 65,700 pack- 
ages, against 76,500 on May 31st 1885, showing 
another falling off to the extent of over 10,000 
packages- A great deal of the prespnt stock is 
also said to be absolute rubbish. A few years ago 
quinine was selling freely at 15s. per ounce, and 
there is no reason why it should not be selling 
at the same prioe now the consumption is greater. 
The authority referred to is of the opinion that it 
is quite possible for a capitalist or a syndicate 
to acquire the present supply, and, by taking de- 
livery when tendered, create a corner, the effect 
of which would be largely felt. At the same time 
he says, there is no possibility of any serious loss 
to investors at the present price. 
4, 
WATEE FOR TEA OR COFFEE. 
All tea and coffee drinkers can tell by the 
taBte if the water from which the beverage is made 
has not been boiled or has boiled too much. Either 
of these conditions will spoil the flavor of the 
costliest tea or the best coffee berry, but not every 
one knows the reason or how to avoid the result. 
The secret is in putting good fresh water into a 
clean kettle already warm and setting it to boil 
quickly, and then take it right off to use in tea, 
coffee or other drinks before it is spoiled. If the 
water is allowed to steam and simmer and evaporate 
till all the good of the water is in the air, and the 
lime and iron and dregs left in the kettle, you must 
not expect a well-flavored cup of tea or coffee. 
— Scientific American. 
♦ 
A COFFEE CONUNDRUM. 
The price of Brazil coffee August 9th, 1889, with a 
stock of 311,635 bags here and afloat for the United 
States was— No. 7, 10-80 ots. Fair, 14 cts. 
Now, with a stock here and afloat of 448,493 bags, 
it is for— No. 7, 14-95 cts. Fair 18| cts. 
Query: With 25 per cent larger supply, why should 
prices be 4 cts. per pound higher than last year ? 
If we take a wider view, the world's visible supply 
is in round numbers 1,250,000 bags greater than last 
year atthis time. 
There are no reliable reports showing that this year's 
crop is likely to be materially deficient. 
How long can speculation dam up the stream ? 
— American Grocer, Aug. 14th. 
♦ 
A SUBSTITUTE FOR COAL. 
Petrole is the name given to a manufactured 
substitute for coal, made by a firm in Minneapolis 
and is the direct outcome of the scarcity of fuel, 
which has retarded the birth of manufacturing in- 
dustries in that city, and, in fact, the whole North- 
West. It is made from sawdust, the residuum of 
crude petroleum, and a number of other ingredients, 
whioh are not made known by the inventors. The 
residuum of petroleum is mixed with the other 
material, and is heated in a largo sheet-iron tank to 
100 <le^. Fahrenheit. It is then run into a mixing 
machine, where it is thoroughly mixed with the 
sawdust, and is afterward carried by means of a 
chute to a heavy press, where it is subjected to a 
pressure of 1,000 pounds to the square inch, and 
moulded into blooks 10 in, long, 4 in. wido, and 3 
in. thick. It is claimed for this new fuel, which has 
been successfully tested, that it is cheaper, and its 
results as satisfactory in every way as coal. — India- 
rubber and Guttapercha Journal, Aug. 8th. 
COFFEE NOTES. 
The prolonged and excessive drouth in Vene- 
zuela has had a bad effect on the transportation 
of coffee to the sea board. In October last the stock 
at Villanusser awaiting transportation to Maracaibo 
was 60,000 bags ; at the end of April this had been 
increased to 300,000 bags, the streams were dry 
and there were then no prospects of getting the 
coffee out. 
According to the New York Shipping and Com- 
mercial List, June 22nd, a large coffee distributing 
house had ordered a canvas of a wide section of 
the West, North-west and South-west of the United 
States, to ascertain stocks in dealers' hands, etc 
The reports are that although stocks are light 
consumption has been sharply reduced, varying in 
different cases from 25 to 50 per cent. Tea seems 
to be the great competitor, but in one case it is 
stated " the farmers are drinking butter-milk." One 
report says " that 60 cents per bushel for wheat and 
25 cents per lb. for coffee is too great a difference." 
And we agree thereto. — Rio Neivs, July 29th. 
* ■ 
A GREEN -TEA STORY. 
Some twenty-five to thirty years ago a grocer 
carrying on business in one of the principal cities 
of the North of England, says the London Grocer 
sat in the office of a well-known and respected 
merchant, who, though not a dealer in consumable 
stores, was ever ready to buy and sell if he could 
see money in the transaction. The grocer, being 
in needy circumstances and anxious to dispose of 
some of his old stock, asked the merchant if he 
could do with a few packages of green tea if he got 
them at the right price, adding that he was rather 
overstocked and was anxious to realize for cash. 
Gunpowders and hysons, as many of our readers 
are aware, were at that time at a very different price 
from what they are now. 
The merchant, having only a vague idea of the 
actual value of tea, inquired from the grocer how 
much a pound he wanted for it, and asked him if 
he had a sample. The grocer said he had not 
brought a sample but would do so in a day or two. 
On the day following a sample was brought neatly 
wrapped in a quarter of a sheet of demy tea paper. 
It was opened and then handed to the merchant 
for his inspection. He looked at it, turned it over 
with his fingers, apparently in imitation of an ex- 
perienced tea-buyer, and asked the grocer how much 
he wanted for it. " Well," said the latter naming 
as near as he could the quantity he had, "green 
teas are worth suoh and such prices, but being 
anxious to realize, and knowing that you are 
always ready to do a good turn for a grocer, I 
shall be disposed to accept your offer, if it be a 
reasonable one, as you have doubtless some idea 
what you can get for it, and of course you expect 
to get a fair profit." The merchant was flattered 
by these expressions of confidence, and boldly 
made an offer, whioh after very few words 
was accepted. The tea was duly delivered on the 
following day, and the grocer immediately presented 
his aooount, which was promptly paid after the 
merchant had examined the bulk and found it equal 
to sample. 
Shortly afterwards another grocer entered the 
merchant's office. " Do you want any green tea ?" 
said the Iter ; " 1 can sell it cheap." " Let me 
see it," said the grocer, who was somewhat surprised 
